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The Florin Street Band to support ITV’s Text Santa appeal Music Video Filmed at Blists Hill Victorian Town (5th December 2011)

The spectacular Victorian-themed Christmas song; My Favourite Time of Year by The Florin Street Band, whose music video was filmed at Blists Hill Victorian Town in the Ironbridge Gorge, is set to benefit numerous charities this Christmas as it becomes the theme to ITV’s Text Santa appeal.The YouTube hit recently caused a stir across the pond when the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” requested permission to perform it at their high profile concerts in Washington D.C. – an honour rarely bestowed upon modern-day Christmas songs.

Originally released in 2010, My Favourite Time of Year, written and performed by British composer Leigh Haggerwood, has become an internet sensation gaining legions of passionate supporters and celebrity fans including Jamie Oliver and Ryan Seacrest. The project was created without record company backing and funded entirely with Leigh Haggerwood’s life savings.

The traditional-style Christmas song was recorded at Trevor Horn’s Sarm studios, and features performances by 36 musicians including The English Chamber Choir. The acclaimed Victorian music video, shot at Blists Hill Victorian Town at Ironbridge in Shropshire, was directed by Nick Bartleet and Hollywood Cinematographer John Perez – known for his work on Coldplay’s Viva La Vida and video’s by Beyoncé and Rihanna amongst others. Leigh Haggerwood was approached by producers of the new ITV Text Santa appeal earlier this year, he said;

“The ITV producers really liked the song and felt it would be a great match for Text Santa, so they asked if I’d consider letting them use it as the theme music for the appeal. When they explained the project I was really impressed by the idea and the nine fantastic charities it’s supporting, so of course I said yes! Since the song will undoubtedly become synonymous with Text Santa, and they’re such great causes, I think it’s only fair that the charities benefit from the success of the song too, so I have decided to donate all of this year’s UK download recording profits to the Text Santa charities along with Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust – an amazing educational charity whose Victorian town was the location for our beautiful music video.”

Leigh Haggerwood is now writing a Florin Street album for release in 2012, and is currently discussing the possibility of turning Florin Street into a musical animation. The Text Santa launch show hosted by Philip Schofield and Christine Bleakley will be broadcast on ITV1 on Sunday 11th December with its live finale hosted by Ant and Dec and later Holly Willoughby taking place on Christmas Eve. My Favourite Time of Year is released on December 5th 2011 and will be available at iTunes, Amazon and most other online stores. All UK download recording profits will be shared between the following charities: